For Comment: State Parliamentary Offices of the Tasmanian Greens, (03) 6233 8300

The Tasmanian Greens today said the deaths of a breeding pair of Tasmanian Wedge-tailed Eagles, a critically endangered species, at the Roaring Forties Woolnorth Bluff Point wind farm during the last fortnight, is deeply disturbing. They have called on the responsible Minister to investigate the deaths and ensure the public are informed of the outcome of that investigation.

Greens Shadow Environment spokesperson Cassy O'Connor MP, who raised the matter in State Parliament today, said she acknowledges the measures put in place by Roaring Forties to try to prevent the deaths of Wedge-tailed Eagles in its turbines, and the distressing effect that these deaths would have on Roaring Forties staff, but believes that more obviously needs to be done to reduce Eagle mortality at Woolnorth.

"The deaths of these majestic and iconic birds, is awful enough, but to discover that we have now lost a breeding pair of a critically endangered species is tragic," Ms O'Connor said.

"Birds Tasmania is extremely concerned about the future of Tasmanian bird species and have previously stated that ‘every death of an endangered species is one step closer to the extinction of that species'." [1]

"The Greens are deeply saddened by the news of these deaths and concerned about the impact of ongoing deaths in wind turbines on a species already struggling for survival."

"I would expect Mr Llewellyn, the Minister responsible for Threatened Species, to investigate these deaths and ensure the public are informed of the outcome of that investigation, including what is being done to reduce eagle mortalities at Woolnorth," Ms O'Connor said.

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[1] "Windfarm collision kills eagles," Sally Glaetzer, The Mercury, 28 August 2008, p5